North Herts residents who opted-in to the council's garden waste collection services will be offered a three-month extension period in light of issues which have affected many since the start of the contract with Urbaser in May.

The decision was made in light of collection issues which have affected many residents since the start of the contract with waste firm Urbaser in May.

The decision – which was agreed at a full council meeting last night in Letchworth – means that existing subscribers will get three months of brown bin collections without further charge.

Residents will now need to re-subscribe by August 2019 rather than May 2019.

As the issues have not just affected brown bin collections, councillors also approved the provision of a free roll of compostable liners for kitchen food waste caddies for all households.

NHDC’s executive member for waste and recycling Councillor Michael Weeks said: “We are extremely sorry for the disruption to service that residents have faced in recent months.

“In light of the inconvenience caused, we are pleased to offer a three-month extension to the chargeable garden waste service, as well as a free roll of caddy liners for all households. Hopefully this will go some way to demonstrating that we are taking the issue very seriously.”